On June 24, 2005, after nearly ten years of supporting liberal reform, the people of Iran surprised the world by electing the conservative mayor of Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as their new president. Soon after, the new president announced Iran would restart its uranium enrichment program, drawing international criticism and condemnation from leaders in Europe and the United States. Ever since President George W. Bush described Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as an “Axis of Evil” that supports international terrorism and endangers world peace, Iran has garnered increased attention and threatens to become the chief focus of American foreign policy if not the target of outright military action.

How has the situation degenerated to this point? Have there been missed opportunities for reconciliation and cooperation between the countries? Is Iran truly a threat to the West and the United States in particular? And is military action against Iran likely or imminent? These were some of the questions at the heart of our forum “Target: Iran?” (Oct. 8 – 12).

A diverse array of writers and policy pundits have discussed these very issues, and the discussion and debate continues with your comments and contributions. The forum’s contributors include:

Janet Afary, native of Iran, professor of history (Purdue University), past president of the International Society of Iranian Studies, author: The Iranian Constitutional Revolution: Grassroots Democracy, Social Democracy, and the Origins of Feminism